The Quantum Singularity

In 2010, HotWheelsCollectors.com chose the Large and in Charger casting
as the second of six cars in the Real Riders® Series. These were only available from the HWC website, and
limited to 5000 pieces.

The sales announcement showed a photo of a Final Engineering Prototype, riding on a set of "big 'n' little"
Turbine-style wheels. It looked good; tough and macho; it looked "Hot Wheels-ey". However, when HWC members began receiving their cars,
it instantly became known that Mattel
had reserved the right— and exercised the right— to "modify the color, decorations and wheel type."
The wheels used on delivered models were same-size sets, front and rear. Maybe not a big deal to some, but others found it made the
cars less aesthetically desireable. Kind of wimpy and saggy, the smaller rear wheels didn't give the car
that macho rake angle Hot Wheelers know and love. Members may have
thought the cars didn't look as good, but they were also irked at the thought
that Mattel had ample opportunity to let them know
about the change before delivering a product that was not as advertised, and had not said a thing. Did they think no one would notice?

I received one of the cars, but decided that instead of complaining about the problem— okay, in addition
to complaining about the problem, I would just fix it. I know how to take a Hot Wheels car apart and put
different axles in it. At the time, though, I didn't have an appropriate donor car.

I made mention of all this to my HWC Red Line Club buddies, and a friend named "quantum" came through. I assured him I
didn't want a really special car, just one with the appropriate wheelsets. He ended up sending a Dairy Delivery®,
and threw in a couple of Mustangs to make his effort worthwhile.

Meanwhile, on the HWC forums the Mattel engineers had been explaining that the large rear wheels didn't fit
the Charger; axles wide enough to fit the chassis made the wheels stick out like Obama ears. As I operated on my
own car, I saw their problem. But I have a Dremel and am not afraid to use it. And it was a
pretty simple fix, just deepening the wheel cut-outs in the base. Seriously— about five minutes. Once I did that,
the somewhat narrow Dairy Delivery®
axles were a perfect fit.

Since I used quantum's donor car to create a one-of-a-kind custom, I call it the Quantum Singularity.

Thanking quantum in public, I announced my extreme gratitude that he had mailed a delightful
collectible paper towel. I extolled the virtues of the paper towel, admitting that while it
did show some edge wear, at the price I paid I certainly couldn't complain. Eventually I mentioned
that quantum had even put some die-cast cars in the box, to keep the towel from being flattened.
I claimed I would put it on display in a special place to preserve it.